Once a year, we compile a list of 10 companies that we believe have done the most, or have the best chance, to make a real dent in emissions or improve public safety and health. We’ve now finalized our 2026 list and will publish it on October 6.
It features companies making strides in energy storage, nuclear power, transportation and other areas despite today’s regressive climate politics. We hope you’ll enjoy the package and perhaps come away feeling a bit more hopeful about our climate’s future. Here’s what to expect.
—James Temple
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When can we say AI made a scientific discovery?
Last week, Anthropic announced that its new molecular biology lab had made its first discovery: its AI agents had flagged a previously uncatalogued pattern surrounding an enzyme, a pattern “reminiscent” of what led to the gene-editing technology CRISPR. But the claims angered biologists.
Some questioned whether merely finding the pattern amounted to a discovery at all. Another said his team had already discovered the same pattern, raising questions about whether Anthropic’s system had learned from his conversations with Claude.
It’s a reminder that what’s novel for AI may be routine, unsurprising or simply not that consequential to a biologist. And the grand claims could make real progress harder to recognize.
Find out why AI companies may be setting the wrong bar for scientific discovery.
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